Any tips on preparing for the PAL course? I'm reading through the CFSC handbook and remembering what it was like to prepare for a final back in university... is it the kind of test where you will need to remember the detailed differences between different kinds of muzzleloaders, or is it more like getting a boating license where the focus is more on the big picture, practical issues that will keep you and those around you safe?
Obviously under all circumstances I want to be safe and responsible, just trying to gauge how many hours of prep to put into it, ahead of the course.
The Benelli I'm looking at is the tactical version as I want a shorter barrel, too. You may not know this, but I have a thing with bears. Couple slugs in the feeding tube would be sick.
I'll look into the CZ 457 tonight and watch some videos. Thanks for the recommendation. I bet there are some comparo videos between that and the 10/22.
Rifle I'm currently looking at is the Tikka T3 .270 bolt action. Same thought as you on staying away from semi-auto.
That'll be my collection. Shotgun, 22 and the .270.
I have a Tikka T3 .25-06 and a .300WSM, they are great rifles. My favourite gun though is a .17HMR Marlin SS heavy barrel. So much better than a .22 and shoots laser beams. I'd consider that instead of a .22 TBH. Dont get the heavy barrel tho...it's, heavy...lol.
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Any tips on preparing for the PAL course? I'm reading through the CFSC handbook and remembering what it was like to prepare for a final back in university... is it the kind of test where you will need to remember the detailed differences between different kinds of muzzleloaders, or is it more like getting a boating license where the focus is more on the big picture, practical issues that will keep you and those around you safe?
Obviously under all circumstances I want to be safe and responsible, just trying to gauge how many hours of prep to put into it, ahead of the course.
It's a bigger deal than getting a boating license, for sure.
I'm an over-preparer. I condensed the entire book into my own notes in my own writing including my own diagrams. Probably spent 15 hours studying and reading and note taking in prep. Ended up with a 96% in the course.
My wife went in cold, hadn't read the book, just skimmed my notes and got, like 94%.
They teach everything you need to know for the test in the course. It's not grueling. It is very reminiscent of university. Only 'real' course I've taken since my degree was the Canadian Securities Course, so studying did feel foreign.
The historical stuff about muzzle loaders, etc. do come up in the course. I think if you read the book the week before you took the course and were attentive in the course you'd be fine.
Just memorize the acronyms ACTS and PROVE and you're halfway there, though. Also, they drill into you how you're basically disarming a nuclear weapon with 10 seconds to spare if you are ever so bold as to cross a fence with a firearm. A lot of people must have accidents crossing fences.
I think if you grew up around guns or know anything at all about them you're probably at a huge advantage. I have exactly zero experience with guns, so everything was new to me and I am worried about the safety aspect of things, so I wanted to make sure I got everything straight.
Thanks Sliver, much appreciated. Any chance you have a PDF scan of your notes? They seem to be a... silver bullet. <CSI Glasses>
Jokes aside, I have ACTS & PROVE seared into my brain at this point - obviously that's vital to safe operation. Just don't want to fail on account of the less practically relevant minutiae.
Thanks Sliver, much appreciated. Any chance you have a PDF scan of your notes? They seem to be a... silver bullet. <CSI Glasses>
Jokes aside, I have ACTS & PROVE seared into my brain at this point - obviously that's vital to safe operation. Just don't want to fail on account of the less practically relevant minutiae.
Hah, no problem. All my notes are hand written chicken scratches. Imma be honest...I think I'm too lazy to scan them for you, but if you seriously really want them I will make the effort. Just let me know.
The Benelli I'm looking at is the tactical version as I want a shorter barrel, too. You may not know this, but I have a thing with bears. Couple slugs in the feeding tube would be sick.
I'll look into the CZ 457 tonight and watch some videos. Thanks for the recommendation. I bet there are some comparo videos between that and the 10/22.
Rifle I'm currently looking at is the Tikka T3 .270 bolt action. Same thought as you on staying away from semi-auto.
That'll be my collection. Shotgun, 22 and the .270.
Benelli? Something big, bold?
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The Benelli I'm looking at is the tactical version as I want a shorter barrel, too. You may not know this, but I have a thing with bears. Couple slugs in the feeding tube would be sick.....
Rifle I'm currently looking at is the Tikka T3 .270 bolt action. Same thought as you on staying away from semi-auto.
That'll be my collection. Shotgun, 22 and the .270.
Holy cow.. are you my 20 year old son? This is pretty much exactly what he has. He has been into firearms since his early teens. He definitely didn't get it from me. He now has 4 guns that he uses for target shooting, wants to get into or at least try hunting.
Benelli M4, SKS, GSG 16, and a .270 (Howa 1500 I think)
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Holy cow.. are you my 20 year old son? This is pretty much exactly what he has. He has been into firearms since his early teens. He definitely didn't get it from me. He now has 4 guns that he uses for target shooting, wants to get into or at least try hunting.
Benelli M4, SKS, GSG 16, and a .270 (Howa 1500 I think)
Hai Dad! Can I has some money?
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As far as the pal test, good advice above. Commit ACTS and PROVE to memory, and apply it rigorously in the handling portion of the test. A decent instructor should give a reasonable person all the guidance needed for the written portion, and if you handle the firearms comfortably and safely easy peasy.
As far as becoming a new firearm license holder, IMO not exactly great timing. I'm far from a gun nut, but the Federal govt seems to have a relationship to facts on the gun file that is similar to our provincial govt's relationship to facts on... every file? Their IMO mishandling of the file isn't going to keep me from voting Liberal if I can still find the stomach for it, but a lot of unilateral moves have been made clearly with polling being the primary concern, public safety a distant runner up. For example, that gsg mentioned above which is pretty much a plastic plinker is now banned from use and essentially characterized as a weapon of war. On top of that, anywhere within an hour or two of Calgary is now pretty unappealing as far as crown plinking type uses or a jealously guarded secret spot.The critical mass of trashy rednecks and new to guns disrespectful unsafe idiots wrecking every spot that was once acceptable has been reached. Further away is still okay, but a range membership is likely the better plan for city folks.
I grew up around guns generally used as tools, have a few firearms and still hunt a little bit, but if I didn't already, probably wouldn't bother getting a pal now unless I was pretty serious about getting into hunting. Just my 2 cents, I don't see the environment getting friendlier to PAL holders in the future.
Last edited by RockLicker; 03-20-2025 at 11:52 AM.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
Don't be crazy.
Took my PAL course last month. Just want to enjoy shooting some targets and getting outside some more.
Just a heads up, if this is what you're actually looking at doing, I would highly recommend against the .270.
Nothing against it, I have a .270 and I love it...for hunting.
What I don't like is going out and spending $30-60 for a box of ammo.
If you've got that kind of money, awesome, have at 'er.
Otherwise stick with something like the .22, or .17 HMR, you can shoot all day and not break the bank.
Oh, also, you mentioned the bear thing again with the shot gun.
Don't do that.
That is at least as bad as your spear idea.
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Last edited by Bring_Back_Shantz; 03-20-2025 at 12:27 PM.
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Just a heads up, if this is what you're actually looking at doing, I would highly recommend against the .270.
Nothing against it, I have a .270 and I love it...for hunting.
What I don't like is going out and spending $30-60 for a box of ammo.
If you've got that kind of money, awesome, have at 'er.
Otherwise stick with something like the .22, or .17 HMR, you can shoot all day and not break the bank.
Oh, also, you mentioned the bear thing again with the shot gun.
Don't do that.
That is at least as bad as your spear idea.
Nah, I'll be a lot more comfortable camping around bears like BlackArcher said. I've actually seen them a few times at Tunnel Mountain, so having some protection up there will be nice. Russic could have used a better defense than his foot a few years back with the wolf. This is going to be great...I too may end up a hero.
Kidding about a shotgun in the National Parks, btw. Would like to, but obviously wouldn't. I'm as law abiding as it gets with this kind of thing.
I do want to get proficient with a .270 bolt action. I think it will be good to know how to use these things. I have a couple of friends who hunt, and I have been thinking that's a good skill to have. Kids are 17 & 19 now, so a really good time to pick up a new hobby as they get more and more independent.
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